Highway Hypodermics

Matt Payne

Question 1:

In a large metropolitan area, Nurse Floating Flo contracts to float between three hospitals within a 10 mile radius of her housing. Starting in the 6th week, the company ask her to float to a hospital 15 miles away, the 7th week she goes to one on the other side of the city, that is 30 miles away, plus one that is 17 miles away. The nurse is willing to take the first few, but after the behavior continues, she has had enough and voices this to her recruiter.

Answer 1:

I would tell her that she signed up for a floatpool position where she knew going into it that she would be required to floatto multiple facilities. If this problemcontinues, I will try to educate her on the options we could take. Such as talking to the manager to try andfigure out a better schedule. If thispersists even further, I would say it's not wise to leave an assignment, butthe best would be to give a two weeks notice, so the hospital and we can havetime to find a replacement.

‍

Question 2:

Baby Nurse Betty is a skilled labor and delivery nurse, who also can float to post-pardum care after the delivery as well as the well-newborn nursery. At 7:30pm, the staffing company hotline gets a call stating that they want her to float to the NICU, which is beyond her competency level. What is your company’s response?

Answer 2:

I would have Betty speak with her manager and inform themthat she does not have any skillset in the NICU and that it won't be properpatient care for her to be left with babies in that acuity. I would have her have an open mind, say it'dbe a great learning opportunity, and have her speak to her manager to see ifshe can at least have a supervisor or be adequately trained on the unit if shedid float over to NICU.

‍

Question 3:

Nurse Roach is all excited about her first travel nursing assignment. She drives 750 miles to her new assignment housing. After getting the keys from management, she opens the door and three cockroaches scurry across the floor. After further investigation, she also finds a ring of mold in the shower. She can’t stand it and immediately texts you with pictures. How do you respond?

Answer 3:

I would do what I could to try and find her replacement housing. I would tell the nurse to find temporary housing, such as a hotel, while we look for a new long-term location for her. I would joke about saying welcome to the world of travel nursing to try and ease the tension. We have to look out for our nurses, and if that means helping to secure housing, then so be it!

‍

Question 4:

You have worked with Nurse Asthmatic for 3 years now and she has done a great job for you, when she takes an assignment in Southeast Colorado. She envisions magic mountains that reach to the sky, only to find that she has landed in wheat country. Not wanting to cause problems she continues to work and everything is fine, until harvest. She has an asthma attack, ends up in the hospital, and is told that she is going to miss at least 2 weeks of work related to asthma induced pneumonia. How do you work things out?

Answer 4:

I would have my nurse inform her manager that she has had an episode and is in the hospital due to her condition. I would be honest with her that her health is more important than anyone and any one assignment, so it would be proper for her to give a notice that she won't return until she is 100%. This may result in a termination, but she could always gain the assignment, or we could look for a new assignment again. The bottom line, no one should compromise their health for work.

‍

Question 5:

You have worked hard to find Nurse Roulette a job in Las Vegas. You send the nurse a contract that she readily accepts, signs, and sends back. The next morning the bags are packed and Nurse Roulette is on the way to the assignment of her dreams. At 0800 she is out the door and to the hospital. Checking in with HR, they inform her that there is no contract between the hospital and the company, related to the fact that it has not been approved by HR. About the same time, the recruiting manager comes to you and tells you not to send Nurse Roulette on the assignment. This shouldn’t have happened, but unfortunately it does happen. What do you do?

Answer 5:

I would inform her that there are some roadblocks and hiccups that accompany traveling. To start, we have to have travelers cleared. I would advise her that she still has a contract; however, she would be pushed back a week to be removed. This would be a good learning tool for the nurse to get her documents in time, as compliance can take weeks to process!

‍

Question 6:

What would you like travel nurses to know about being a great traveling nurse and making your job easier?

Answer 6:

I would like them to know that being a traveler is a great opportunity, with many ups and downs, and things will never be constant. As jobs come and go, rates rise and fall, and it's more about the journey they must focus on. Some nurses are in it for the pay, which is not bad; however, we need to inform them of everything that happens during the lifespan of an assignment. As long as they are made aware and if everyone is transparent, that will make life for everyone that much easier.

‍

Email this Recruiter!